PSI - Issue 47

Calin-Ioan Birdean et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 47 (2023) 87–93 Author name / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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3

A gap of 4 mm exists between the two connection endplate to allow direct contact between the RHS profiles, such that the continuity aspect of the element is provided, Fig. 2a). A 4 point bending test was used for the load application on the two identical tested specimens, Fig. 2b). The Boundary conditions at the supports allowed free rotation of the specimen ends as well as free horizontal translation, Fig. 2c).

a)

b)

c)

Fig. 2. (a) Connection detail; (b) Load application configuration, (c) Support conditions of the specimens.

With the mentioned characteristics, the load-displacement curves recorded by the actuator is presented in Fig. 3.

a)

b)

Fig. 3. (a) Connection detail; (b) Load application configuration, (c) Support conditions of the specimens.

Also, another parameter of interest for this joint is the magnitude of the separation between the RHS profiles. The aspect of the joint must remain as compact as possible. Fig. 4 presents the relative displacement between the two RHS profiles in the bottom flange, the tensioned area. The joint separation was determined using a 3D optical system based on Digital Image Correlation technique. Two gauges were defined on the tensioned side of the specimen, one on each profile.

100 150 200 250 300 350

F [kN]

Extensometre

0 50

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

Joint separation [mm]

Fig. 4. Separation between the RHS profiles.